The Houthis’ military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, later said that the group carried out a second wave of strikes against Israel with a “barrage of cruise missiles and drones” targeting military sites. In a televised speech, Saree vowed to continue military operations in the coming days until Israel “ceases its attacks and aggression”. Since the US-Israeli attack on Iran on 28 February, Saudi Arabia has been able to divert some of its oil exports by pipeline to the Red Sea. Saudi commentators have said that if this route was also threatened, Riyadh could also enter the war directly. “The potential impact on key commercial maritime routes, especially in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait, cannot be overstated.

Source: Irish Examiner March 29, 2026 06:59 UTC